The popular complaint about the Subaru BRZ is that its 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter-boxer engine is underpowered compared to other, modern sports coupes. Subaru isn't doing anything to address that for the 2015 model year BRZ, but the company does have some aesthetic upgrades ready for its rear-wheel-drive two-door and a limited-edition version with a more aggressive body.

The big news for the 2015 BRZ is the Series.Blue Special Edition (pictured above) that is limited to 1,000 units for the US with 500 of them in the brand's famous WR Blue Pearl and the other 500 in Crystal White Pearl. Mechanically, the special models are unchanged with the 2.0-liter boxer engine and a six-speed manual, but they wear an exclusive, black, STI-branded body kit that includes a new lower-lip front spoiler, rear spoiler, side sills and underbody panels. Subaru claims the whole setup increases front downforce and decreases the car's coefficient of drag from 0.28 to 0.27. To match the new kit, the limited-edition cars feature black, 17-inch wheels from STI with contrasting red brake calipers hiding behind them. The interior sees nearly as many changes as the outside with black and blue leather sport seats with blue stitching, and a similar motif for the steering wheel, shift boot, parking brake and kneepads. The illuminated engine start button gets an STI logo, as well. The Series.Blue arrives at dealers in July for $30,285, after the $795 destination charge.

The rest of the BRZ lineup isn't left out and has some minor upgrades of its own, with revised damper settings, stainless steel exhaust tips, a body-color shark fin antenna and a simulated carbon fiber dashboard panel – similar to the upgrades found on the 2015 Scion FR-S. Two new colors are available – Ice Silver Metallic and Crystal White Pearl. Prices are up $100 across the board for 2015. After destination, the Premium trim is $26,490; the Limited is $28,490; the Limited with an automatic transmission is $29,590. The 2015 models hit dealers this summer. Scroll down to read the full announcement.

BRZ Series.Blue launches as special edition with 1,000 units for US market
Improved suspension refinement added to full BRZ lineup

Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the 2015 BRZ. Starting at $25,695, the BRZ lineup focuses on the fundamentals of great sports car design: low vehicle weight, an ultra-low center of gravity and precision steering. Powered by a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter BOXER engine, the Subaru BRZ marked a return to the fundamentals of sports car design, emphasizing low vehicle weight, an ultra-low center of gravity and precision steering.

New for 2015 is the introduction of the BRZ Series.Blue limited to 1,000 cars for the continental United States. An exclusive combination of STI®-branded functional aerodynamic body design, black-painted STI-branded 17-inch wheels and unique interior trim creates a striking look for the BRZ Series.Blue, which arrives in Subaru dealerships in July. Subaru will offer 500 painted WR Blue Pearl and 500 in Crystal White Pearl exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The BRZ Series.Blue boosts the car's aerodynamic performance with black STI-branded front, side, and side-rear under spoilers, which contribute to additional front downforce, and underbody panels that, while not seen, reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) from 0.28 to 0.27.

The Series.Blue also brings impressive appearance upgrades that enhance its performance image. Emphasizing the BRZ's pure sports car nature, red-finish brake calipers can be seen behind the spokes of the STI- branded black alloy wheels. The BRZ Series.Blue builds on the BRZ Limited model and features exclusive trim and special details throughout. Its leather and Alcantara upholstery includes blue leather seat bolsters and head restraints.

Blue stitching accents the seats and the blue and black leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as the shift lever boot and leather-wrapped parking brake handle. The blue motif carries to the center console kneepads and door trim, accented by an embroidered silver BRZ logo on the front seatbacks. Carpeted floor mats pick up the BRZ logo and blue stitching, as well. The 2015 BRZ Blue.Series 6MT starts at $29,490.

Handling has been improved for 2015 with revised suspension dampers for smoother motion and absorption to help achieve optimum contact to uneven roads for a more enjoyable driving experience. Also contributing to the BRZ's handling are 4-wheel independent suspension and 17" summer tires with 15-spoke dark gray-finished aluminum-alloy wheels.

For the 2015 model year, all BRZ trims receive larger stainless tailpipe tips, simulated carbon-fiber center dash panel, and roof-mounted and body color shark fin antenna. The BRZ Premium 6MT has a starting price of $25,695. This is only a $100 increase compared to the 2014 model year.

The 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT starts at $27,695. The only factory option for the BRZ Limited model is the 6-speed automatic transmission priced at $28,795. Both are also a $100 increase compared to the prior model year.

Subaru's signature exterior color, WR Blue Pearl is updated while popular colors Ice Silver Metallic and Crystal White Pearl have been added to the BRZ line.

The BRZ Limited substitutes a dual-zone automatic climate control for the Premium model's manual HVAC system, and its standard All-Weather Package includes dual-mode heated front seats and heated side mirrors. A full security system augments the engine immobilizer that is standard in the Premium model. In the Limited, the dual visor vanity mirrors are illuminated, and front door courtesy lights illuminate when the doors are opened.

Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the 2015 BRZ Series.Blue, a special edition of its acclaimed purist sports car, limited to 1,000 cars for the United States. An exclusive combination of STI functional aerodynamic body design, black-painted STI 17-inch wheels and unique interior trim creates a striking look for the BRZ Series.Blue. Subaru will offer 500 painted WR Blue Pearl and 500 in Crystal White Pearl and the special edition will arrive in Subaru dealerships in July.

Powered by a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter BOXER engine, the Subaru BRZ marked a return to the fundamentals of sports car design, emphasizing low vehicle weight, an ultra-low center of gravity and precision steering. The BRZ Series.Blue boosts the car's aerodynamic performance with black STI front, side, and side-rear under spoilers, which contribute to additional front downforce. Additional underbody panels, while not seen, reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) from 0.28 to 0.27. All BRZ models for 2015 feature new, larger stainless steel exhaust tips and a new shark fin antenna.

Unique to Series.Blue and emphasizing the BRZ's pure sports nature, red-finish brake calipers can be seen behind the spokes of the black painted STI wheels. The BRZ Series.Blue builds on the BRZ Limited model and features exclusive trim and special details throughout. Its leather and Alcantara upholstery includes blue leather seat bolsters and head restraints.
Blue stitching accents the seats and the blue and black leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as the shift lever boot and leather-wrapped parking brake handle. The blue motif carries to the center console kneepads and door trim, accented by an embroidered silver BRZ logo on the front seatbacks. Carpeted floor mats also pick up the BRZ logo and blue stitching.

The new BRZ Series.Blue will be priced at $29,490 with a destination charge of $795.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

Reported comments and users are reviewed by Autoblog staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week to determine whether they violate Community Guideline. Accounts are penalized for Community Guidelines violations and serious or repeated violations can lead to account termination.

I had a FRS and it was a great car, wish i still had it but i wanted more power. I got a cadillac ats 2.0T and it handles fairly well and has way more power. After incentives i paid about $31k for my ATS. I'm looking at the new GTI though for more practicality and aftermarket tuning potential.

Rice! I agree w a lot of people, this car needs 40 more horsepower. And know I shouldn't just get an sti/wrx?! Those cars are awd and I want rwd. I still might buy one though. But it won't be this 30k monster. Listen I agree that the fact that the brz exists is awesome. Just want a lil more oomph. Oh and the interior is subaru crappy also. Put the 15 wrx interior in the 16 brz and keep it at $26k and I'm sold. Add 40 hp and I'd buy it tomorrow!

They need to stop with this special edition asthetic garbage and put a real motor in this car. It needs at least 300 HP to be considered anything but pathetically slow. A waste of a great chassis to have such a weak engine.

Their approach to this car reminds me a lot of what car companies used to do in the 80s, and 90s. There were plenty of sporty trim packages that either had the same, or a slight bump in power that was barely worth mentioning.
The 1983-1988 Monte Carlo SS is a prime example of what I am talking about. They looked fast as hell, but with their 179 hp, 305 V8s, they weren't even that impressive for their day.
I realize the 80s were a different time, but with today's technology, there is no reason that the Toyobaru twins can't have more power variants. Even an FRS owner I know agrees in that he loves his car but wishes it had more power.

Their approach to this car reminds me a lot of what car companies used to do in the 80s, and 90s. There were plenty of sporty trim packages that either had the same, or a slight bump in power that was barely worth mentioning.
The 1983-1988 Monte Carlo SS is a prime example of what I am talking about. They looked fast as hell, but with their 179 hp, 305 V8s, they weren't even that impressive for their day.
I realize the 80s were a different time, but with today's technology, there is no reason that the Toyobaru twins can't have more power variants. Even an FRS owner I know agrees in that he loves his car but wishes it had more power.

I am laughing at the frustrated kid who is sitting at home. creating multiple accounts. just to down vote legitimate criticisms about the BRZ/FRS. "If I down vote it enough times it makes it true! If I can break 20 down votes on each criticism this will be the best car in the world!". Thank you for adding comedy to our day.

Dear Subaru/Toyota,
There are two primary sales strategies for sporting car sales in the US and global markets:
The first is to offer multiple variants with multiple power ranges, all introduced very quickly. This strategy pulls buyers upward in spending, leverages a single platform across a larger buying segment, and increases interest in all models. Many car companies have derived large sales and profits from this model:
- Ford (Mustang)
- GM (Camaro and Corvette)
- Porsche (911)
- BMW (M cars)
- Mercedes (AMG)
The second market strategy is to simply build a single performance specification, then offer an upgrade 3-4 years into the model run, when interest has died off and competition has improved. This strategy has resulted in poor sales and low profits for the following companies:
- Honda (NSX and S2K)
- Mazda (FD RX7, RX8, and Mazdaspeed Miata)
The question is: why are you pursuing the failed model rather than the successful one? I assume you want to limit R&D costs on a low volume vehicle. Have you considered that the BRZ/FRS is low volume (and low profit) precisely *because* you won't give buyers an opportunity to upgrade to a higher spec factory car?
Please don't tell me that the aftermarket is the answer. Replacing brakes, adding horsepower, and swapping wheels and tires are all more cheaply done by the OEM, and an OEM performance version will always have higher resale value than one with a bunch of aftermarket parts on it.

You would have to be an idiot to pay 30k+ for this car. Do you realize what you can get for that price?!?! Just get a Z and you will smoke the BRZ in every performance category and look better doing it! This car is so overpriced for a "run to drive" vehicle...blah! That's what owners of slow cars say. I'm sorry but I don't care how good this car handles, if a civic SI excels more in performance, there's a problem!

... anyone else want to like this car, so badly, but is left feeling nothing short of disheartened?
I can't fathom how the conversation that lead to the creation of this car went:
"Good Morning everyone, lets discuss how to make a boring car, look better, but remain boring - any ideas?" "Yes, Ted, please share with us your meaningful contribution." "Thanks Bob, I'd say we add some "aero" and "trinkets", it'll look fancier and still be just as boring as the '14 MY and we can ask more for it!" "Great idea, you're promoted."
Subaru fails for physically building the car and Toyota even more so, for keeping it lame intentionally.
Yes, we get it. The point of this car was to emphasize balance and handling, oh look more punch....